It’s about time for a holiday in Africa and we’ve got all the latest updates for you.
Namibia is open for international travel. Hooray! Wearing of face masks is no longer mandatory in public places, however, people who are in close settings, including on public transport, indoor public meetings where some of the attendees are not vaccinated, and other similar settings are encouraged to wear masks; physical distancing of no less than 1 meter must be maintained at all times.
If you’re fully vaccinated
Fully vaccinated travellers are no longer required to produce a negative PCR test result on arrival. You must present an authentic valid vaccination card at the point of entry.
If you’re not fully vaccinated
You must present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken in the country of departure. The test result must not be older than 72 hours (calculated from the time that the sample for testing was taken) at the time of entry into Namibia. Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Test results are not accepted for entry into Namibia.
Children and young people
Children, aged 11 and under, do not need to provide a negative PCR test result in order to enter Namibia. S
If you’re transiting through Namibia
The rules for transiting Namibia are the same as for entry into Namibia.
Botswana is open for international travel by air and road borders. The wearing of face masks continues to be compulsory in public places in Botswana.
If you’re fully vaccinated
If you are fully vaccinated, you do not need to take a coronavirus test to travel to Botswana. You will need to present your vaccination certification during travel and on arrival. Your final vaccine dose must have been administered at least 14 days prior to travel.
If you’re not fully vaccinated
Unvaccinated people must present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test, which was obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel. You may also be asked to undertake an additional PCR test at the port of entry at your own cost. If the test is positive, you will be permitted to isolate within the district of the port of entry at your own cost.
People who refuse to be subject to the above provisions are liable to a fine, imprisonment or both.
Children and young people
Children aged 12 years and over should follow the requirements for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers, depending on their vaccination status. Children under the age of 12 are exempt from these requirements.
If you’re transiting through Botswana
The rules set out above also apply to travellers wishing to transit Botswana.
South Africa’s borders are open for international travel and flights to South Africa have largely returned to normal. You no longer are required to wear face masks in South Africa.
If you’re fully vaccinated
South Africa has lifted its coronavirus travel restrictions. You no longer need to present proof of vaccination status, or a PCR test.
If you’re not fully vaccinated
South Africa has lifted its coronavirus travel rules. You no longer need to present proof of vaccination status or a PCR test.
If you’re transiting through South Africa
The rules set out above also apply to travellers wishing to transit South Africa.
Travellers to Zambia are encouraged to be fully vaccinated but this is not mandatory. Regardless of vaccination status, you are required to complete a health declaration form and undergo thermo-scanning. If you enter Zambia with a body temperature equal to, or above 38.0 C you will be tested for COVID-19 at your expense on arrival and be required to quarantine (at your home, a hotel or government facility) until your test results are known. The wearing of face masks is still mandatory.
If you’re fully vaccinated
If you are fully vaccinated, you can enter Zambia without providing any form of negative COVID 19 PCR test. Fully vaccinated means complete doses of a vaccine e.g. first and second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine.
You must present proof that you have been vaccinated to qualify as fully vaccinated. Accepted evidence of proof has not been specified.
If you’re not fully vaccinated
If you are not fully vaccinated, you’ll need to show proof of a negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR test. Zambian Government guidelines state tests should be taken within 72 hours before departure from the country of origin.
You need to validate your negative PCR test certificate online prior to travel.
Children and young people
Children aged 11 and under are exempt from the requirement to provide a PCR COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination
If you’re transiting through Zambia
Transiting is when you pass through one country on the way to your final destination.
If you are travelling to a destination that requires a negative COVID-19 certificate, on departure from Zambia you will be expected to present evidence of a negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR test certificate from a certified Ministry of Health COVID-19 testing laboratory. Travellers should upload their negative PCR test certificate to https://globalhaven.org/. Holders of tests taken outside Zambia are not exempt from this requirement, even if their test was taken within the previous 72 hours.
Zimbabwe is open for international travel as from 1 October 2020, however there are still limited scheduled flights into the country, with most flying into Harare. The good news: Holiday travel is still allowed between 5:30 and 22:00 for inter-city and inter-provincial travel as well as to national parks and tourism facilities. Tourists travelling between destinations will need to provide documentation as proof of bookings. Hotels and lodges are exempt from the mandatory business closures.
If you’re fully vaccinated
If you’re fully vaccinated, you can enter Zimbabwe by presenting a certificate of proof of vaccination (2 doses) . Alternatively, you can present a valid negative test certificate of a COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 48 hours prior to departure. You will be required to complete track and trace information on arrival in Zimbabwe.
If you’re not fully vaccinated
If you’re not fully vaccinated, you must possess the result certificate of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 48 hours before your departure to Zimbabwe. You will be required to complete track and trace information on arrival in Zimbabwe.
Children and young people
There are no exemptions from COVID-19 requirements for children. Children aged 17 and under should follow the rules for fully vaccinated travellers to enter Zimbabwe.
If you’re transiting through Zimbabwe
Transiting through Zimbabwe is permitted for travellers in possession of proof of vaccination (2 doses) or a valid negative test certificate of a COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 48 hours prior to departure.
NOTE: While the above pertains to the travel requirements by country, it’s important to check with each airline what their specific travel requirements are as well as those in place by your country of residence for your return post travels and for any countries you may travel via in transit.
The above is correct at the time of publishing. We attempt to keep this up to date as and when things change but as these details and requirements change constantly, it is always best to check with the airlines as well as the local diplomatic representative in your country of departure.
